Situation Ethics (SE)

Question 1

Define ‘Pragmatic’

Answer 1

The preassumption that we should do what is pragmatic, what works in the situation

Question 2

Define ‘Agape’

Answer 2

• Selfless love.
• Used by Christians to describe God’s unconditional love.

Question 3

List the FOUR working Principles:

Answer 3

1. Pragmatism
2. Relativism
3. Positivism
4. Personalism

Question 4

What is Pragmatism?

Answer 4

• Something that is pragmatic is something that works and is practical / maximises love.
• If it doesn’t work then it has no point.

Question 5

For Evidence, what does William James say about Pragmatism?

Answer 5

“A pragmatist turns his back upon fixed principles and pretended absolutes”.

Question 6

What is Relativism?

Answer 6

• So called absolute commands such as ‘Do not kill’ OR ‘Do not commit adultery’ become relative to the situation and to love.
• Only love is constant or absolute: everything is a variable

Question 7

What does Fletcher say about Relativism?

Answer 7

“We are always.. commanded to act lovingly, but how we do it depends on our own responsible estimate of the situation”.

Question 8

What is Positivism?

Answer 8

• Ethical norms are not rational: they are held as an act of judgement and of faith.
• To understand this we think of things we enjoy and you don’t need to justify your choices.
• So when we say ‘God is love’ , this is simply free choice

Question 9

Evidence from Fletcher from ‘Positivism’:

Answer 9

“Faith working through love, is the essence and pith of Christian ethics”

Question 10

What is Personalism?

Answer 10

• Situation Ethics puts people at the centre of concern and not things.
• People are to be loved, not rules.
• Real existence lies in personal relationships.
• The personal element is emphasised by the incarnation (God made flesh in Jesus).